New Year Resolution

Here’s a lively New Year’s resolution: jot down each desire, aspiration, or whimsical thought, and place them inside your holiday decorations before tucking them away for the year.

New Year Resolution Challenge

It’s that time to set a New Year’s resolution because a new year is upon us! We’re a year older, and significant changes occur in just 365 days.

Taking a moment to reflect on everything that transpired in the past year can inspire us to aim for greater, more fulfilling endeavors in the New Year that lies ahead.

New Year Resolution 1: Cherish yesterday

There’s no better moment than now to make a resolution to appreciate yesterday.

As I thought back to the resolutions I made at the close of 2020, I was reminded of how vital it is to value our past.

The memories of yesteryears certainly revamped, and I still ponder whether those changes have been for better or worse.

Wishing for the freedom to move around, create memories with loved ones, enjoy meals out, share hugs, and live without face coverings is something we all long for.

I hope to always express gratitude towards healthcare workers who have risked their lives to bring a semblance of order, or at least, solace to a harrowing situation.

2020 Resolutions

As 2020 kicked off and our lives shifted dramatically, I found myself cherishing all the skills and talents I had acquired throughout my journey.

Many of these skills equipped me to care for myself and my family during that challenging time, and to share my abilities with others in a meaningful manner.

New Year Resolution Long Ago

I recall when I was a young teenager, making a New Year’s resolution to learn how to sew.

I adored high fashion, yet my small-town in the 60s didn’t offer the stylish clothing seen on the covers of Italian or French Vogue.

Convinced that I deserved to have what I wanted, I resolved to teach myself how to create it. I learned to design and craft anything my heart desired.

Pandemic New Year

When the pandemic struck and masks were nowhere to be found across the country, I sensed I had something valuable to contribute.

With a two-month wait for shipments from China, I knew just what needed to be done.

I began sewing masks until my fingers were sore and my shoulders tired from bending over the machine.

The first recipients of my masks, besides my family, were those in the food industry.

While medical masks needed special features, I knew I could use my sewing skills to protect the essential workers ensuring our food supply remained available.

I did so, and I felt thankful for a seemingly trivial New Year’s resolution I made long ago.

New Year Resolution 2: Dream Tomorrow

Tomorrow is filled with uncertainties, yet every January 1st, many of us start envisioning what the future might hold.

We can create our New Year’s resolutions, vowing to dream bigger and hope for new possibilities.

This mental exercise of wiping the slate clean helps us regain a sense of confidence.

When March 2020 came with its life-altering announcements, I found I could stay focused on the future and pursue projects I’d previously lacked the time to address.

There were dreams I could finally devote my attention to, making them achievable.

The Resolution Of Quality Time

One of my adult children and I had arranged a trip together in February, an opportunity for quality bonding time for an entire week.

He is a husband, a father of two, and a busy executive chef at a thriving events company. Stealing my son away for some quality time was a cherished dream of mine.

Since it was still early in the year, we were both mindful of the New Year’s resolutions we had made just a month earlier.

One of my resolutions was to carve out time and create special moments with each of my children.

New Year Resolutions Fulfilled

I was already making progress on my New Year’s resolution for 2020, until the year turned into a dreaded term rather than a typical year.

We embarked on our trip, feeling like we were running ahead of a storm, as every city we left was reporting its first Covid case.

We created wonderful memories together, then rushed home as quickly as we could.

Now, I am back to crafting a new New Year’s resolution: to be thankful every single day that all my loved ones made it through 2020.

New Year Resolution 3: Live Today

With the new year just around the corner, I’ve already set my New Year’s resolution. Eat healthier? No. I’ve always been mindful of my diet (wink).

Exercise more? Not really. I learned long ago, during those chaotic years as a single mom of four, to handle everything myself; who needs to work out when I’m constantly on the move!

I prefer not to hire others for tasks I can manage myself; I’d rather scrub floors, dig ditches, or tackle any other physically demanding work than hit the gym! But sometimes, you just gotta do it!

This year, my resolution is simply to embrace each day as if it were my last.

I’ve tried numerous times in my life to document the remarkable yet strange journey I’ve experienced; however, I could never push through the painful parts to write on.

That was until 2020 happened, and my challenging life didn’t appear so daunting anymore. So, I decided to learn how to write, not in book format, but rather in screenplay format.

My new year’s resolution is to complete that script and see if anyone might be interested in bringing it to life on screen.

New Year Lifestyle

This year, another resolution I’ve made is to expand my food blog beyond merely sharing recipes.

I believe my lifestyle and experiences have equipped me to share uplifting lifestyle ideas with others.

Of course, a fresh and healthy recipe would be a fantastic way to kick off the year, which is why I’m sharing one of my favorite New Year recipes with you here: The Perfect Ginger Carrot Red Lentil Soup.

The bright orange hue will remind you that the sunshiny days of spring are just around the corner.

Packed with health benefits, the gingery, spicy flavors will have you swapping out the traditional ‘black-eyed peas’ routine for this delightful option.

New Year Resolution Accountability

I’ve come up with a fun method to stay accountable for the New Year’s resolutions I’m making right now.

Almost everyone has a holiday that involves pulling out ornaments, decorations, or items that we stowed away once the festivities were over.

In the video I’m sharing, you’ll see I’ve started a new tradition. While packing away my decorations, I jot down a wish, a resolution, a dream, or a whimsical thought and tuck them inside as I store them.

When the time comes to unpack them, I can revisit my New Year resolutions, note which ones I accomplished, and see which may need to be postponed until next year.

I call this, ‘My New Year Resolution Accountability’!

It’s time to create a New Year’s resolution. Take some time to think it through this year, and make it impactful and alive.

And remember to Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow, and Live Today! Stay safe, and I look forward to seeing you back here next year xoxo!